Big finale brewing for City

York City can learn a little bit more about themselves as serious promotion challengers while hosting play-off rivals Burton Albion in a really big top-seven clash this weekend. The Minstermen could hardly come into the contest in better shape despite the loss of a couple of crucial players over the past week: unbeaten in ten games while winning the last six of them and with five straight clean-sheets. It marks a massive change in fortune for a side who finished 2013 with a 2-1 defeat at then relegation rivals Bury - which left them only escaping the bottom two on goal-difference (P 23, Pts 22). In sixteen games since them, York have accumulated an incredible 36 points, with eleven victories and most crucially the same number of clean-sheets. Burton won their first game in four in midweek but have taken maximum points from only one of their last six away visits, although that was at play-off rivals Oxford United three weeks ago.

Vital Quotes:

York City Team News:

Northern Ireland Under-21 international winger Ryan Brobbel goes straight into the squad having returned on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season. Forward pair Josh Carson and Wes Fletcher are both ruled out and join long-serving defender Daniel Parslow on the sidelines.York City (probable): Pope, Oyebanjo, Lowe, McCombe, Davies, Hayhurst, Penn, Reed, Brobbel, Coulson, Bowmansubs: D. McGurk, Montrose, Platt, Puri, Jarvis, Andrew, Ingham

Ryan Brobbel returns to boost the promotion bid

Player to watch: Adam Reed

Comes up against his former club after recently establishing a starting place for York.

Big day for young City midfielder Adam Reed

Burton Albion Team News:

Burton have added winger Ashley Hemmings on loan from Walsall and he goes straight into their squad, joining fellow loanee Callum McFadzean from Sheffield United after wide-men Zeli Ismail (hamstring) and Jimmy Phillips (ankle) were both ruled out. Striker Michael Symes was also expected to recover from a groin injury while defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff should similarly be available despite a knock during the midweek 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers. Former City loanee Robbie Weir should again start in midfield. Burton Albion (probable): Lainton, Edwards, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, McCrory, Gray, Weir, Palmer, McFadzean, A. McGurk, Kee

Midfielder Robbie Weir should face his former club

Player to watch: Adam McGurk

Ten goals this season for the former Tranmere Rovers forward alongside top scorer Billy Kee, with thirteen.

Ten-goal Adam McGurk a danger-man for Burton

Match Facts & Stats

These two clubs met for the first time in the Football League last season and York easily won the corresponding fixture 3-0 on New Year's Day. Goals arrived from Jason Walker (penalty), Patrick McLaughlin and Matty Blair in the following side: Ingham, Parslow, Smith, McGurk, Fyfield, Kerr (Bullock), Potts (Oyebanjo), McLaughlin, Blair, Walker (J. Reed), Rodman. Burton previously made five Conference visits while winning three times and drawing once.

Patrick McLaughlin scored for the Minstermen last season

Ref Watch:

D. Deadman (Cambridgeshire)

Next Fixtures:

York - Rochdale (A); Burton - Plymouth (H)

You can now use your social login to comment on our front page articles using your Facebook, Twitter, Google or LinkedIn accounts!